Bloch: Symphony in C sharp minor & Poems of the Sea

About

Composed while Ernest Bloch was studying in Germany and before he moved to America, the richly scored Symphony in C sharp minor fits within the romantic tradition of Richard Strauss, Mahler and Bruckner. It expresses Bloch’s innermost struggles and emotions, revealing his complex talents through rhapsodic forms, exceptional polyphony and modal tonalities. Inspired by Walt Whitman, the Poems of the Sea depict the oceans with striking clarity, including flavours of Irish folk music. Dalia Atlas is a leading expert on Bloch, her acclaimed recordings including America (8557151) and Four Episodes (8570259), “a disc not to be missed” (Penguin Guide).

Ernest Bloch’s works in Jewish style have become popular repertoire pieces, but the wide range of work beyond this sphere remains neglected.

Dalia Atlas has already conducted two highly successful Bloch releases for Naxos, the “fascinating and highly rewarding collection” (Penguin Guide) including the Four Episodes (8570259) and America (8557151). She considers Bloch’s magnificent early Symphony in C minor as his “greatest and best work”, and with the superb London Symphony Orchestra this will become an instant first choice.

Dalia Atlas won seven prizes in prestigious international conducting competitions, the first woman to do so, and was immediately invited to conduct major orchestras. She has undertaken extensive research into the music of Ernest Bloch to reveal and revive his neglected compositions.

She is President of the Ernest Bloch Society in Israel and Vice President of the Ernest Bloch International Society in London.

Listen

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Ernest Bloch: Symphony in C-Sharp Minor

I. Lento - Allegro agitato ma molto energico

II. Andante molto moderato

III. Vivace

IV. Allegro energico e molto marcato

Ernest Bloch: Poems of the Sea (version for orchestra)

I. Waves: Poco agitato

II. Chanty: Andante misterioso

III. At Sea: Allegro vivo

Reviews

15th October 2013

“this disc will, I hope, win new admirers for the Songs of the Sea. Those who are tempted by this work will find the symphony highly enjoyable too, especially in this committed performance”

October 2013

“The LSO play Bloch's Symphony in C sharp minor marvellously and Dalia Atlas conducts it with understanding and conviction...The richness and colour of the orchestration are very striking indeed.”

Christmas Issue 2013

****

“Atlas has made several distinguished recordings of Bloch's music for Naxos and this new release, with its accomplished playing from the LSO, demonstrates her continuing commitment to the composer.”